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CSUN
Course Syllabus Fall 2015 (Course 10154)
ART 112: World Arts: Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Instructor: Juliet Moss
Format: Hybrid (Tuesdays On-Line/Thursdays 9:30am-10:45am In-Class)
Contact Info: juliet.moss@csun.edu
Room: Sagebrush Hall 103
Office Hours:
A. In Person: Thursdays 8:15 am-9:15 am, 12:45pm-1:45pm, Sagebrush Hall 237
B. On-Line: Tuesdays 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
C. By Appointment
Catalogue Description:
ART 112. World Arts: Africa, Oceania and the Americas (3)
Survey of the visual arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas emphasizing historical, religious
and socio-cultural contexts. Discussion, research and writing on the visual arts, including
painting, sculpture, architecture, book arts, ceramics, textiles, and body arts. For non-art major.
(Available for General Education, Comparative Cultures, and the Global Studies GE Path)
Course Description Detail:
This course will explore and compare art-making practices among select African, Oceanic, and
Native American cultures. The artistic expressions include art, architecture, painting, sculpture,
festival arts, and body modifications and supplements. The relationship of art to the cultural
context in which it was produced, including social status, gender, belief systems, the
environment, globalization, and lifecycle stages will form the framework of this course. In
addition, the course will critically address commonly held Western assumptions and stereotypes
about the non-Western world and its arts.
Art Department Program Goals addressed in this Course:
1. Art Knowledge: Broadening knowledge of ancient through contemporary art and develop an
understanding of art within theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts.
2. Critical Thinking: Analyzing, interpreting, and questioning traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art making through the process of generating and solving
problems.
3. Global Perspectives: Promoting an appreciation and tolerance of diverse perspectives dealing
with art, culture, teaching and learning.
Learning Objectives:
Student will:
1. be acquainted with the visual language of African, Oceanic, and Native American art.
2. describe and illustrate the historical and/or cultural contexts in which specific African,
Oceanic, and Native American art works are created and experienced.
3. describe, analyze and write about how meaning is created through form and content in a work
of non-Western art.
4. recognize the basic principles and methodologies of non-Western art.
5. examine the reception of non-Western art in the West.
6. foster tolerance for and sensitivity to different cultures and value systems through the study of
Non-Western art.
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Global Studies, GE Path Objectives addressed in this Course:
1. Students will be able to recognize a variety of globalized political, economic, socio-cultural,
and aesthetic forms.
2. Students will be able to discuss the political, economic, socio-cultural and/or historical
underpinnings of globalization.
3. Students will be able to analyze the diverse consequences of globalization including its
impacts on various social formations (e.g. identity, culture, art, communities, media, markets,
nation-states, among other examples) and/or the environment.
GE Student Learning Outcomes (Comparative Cultures)
1. Describe and compare different cultures.
2. Explain how various cultures contribute to the development of our multicultural world.
3. Describe and explain how race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion sexuality, and other markers
of social identity impact life experiences and social relations.
Moodle:
Welcome to Moodle, our learning management system! Moodle will work in any modern web
browser. Your browser should have both cookies and JavaScript enabled. Browsers: Firefox 3 (or
later); Google Chrome 11 (or later); MS Internet Explorer 7 (or later); Safari 4 (or later).
Most of you will find our class Moodle site fairly straight forward. However, I suggest you
watch one of the following tutorials to be sure you understand how Moodle 2 works. The first
requires your user name and login to access a series of video tutorials:
http://www.lynda.com/Moodle-2-0-tutorials/Moodle-2-Essential-Training-for-Students/854112.html
https://docs.moodle.org/29/en/Student_FAQ
Readings:
Class readings, images, and videos are all located in our ART 112 eText. I will be using this
eText and I will be asking for feedback from you. The eText can be found on our class Moodle
site.
All readings are required and should be completed before our classroom meetings. You will be
best prepared if you read each article three times and several days before assignments are due.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Attendance and Participation - 10 points
Research Paper/Creative Project - 30 points
Discussion Questions (5 @ 10 points each) - 50 points
Quizzes (11 @ 10 points each) - 110 points
Grades are based on a total of 200 points for attendance and participation, research paper/creative
project, discussion questions, and quizzes. A maximum of 210 points are possible with 1 extra
credit assignments.
A=200-185 A-=184-180
B+=179-173 B=172-165 B-=164-160
C+=159-153 C=152-145 C-=144-140
D+=139-133 D=132-125 D-=124-120
F= 119-0
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Attendance and Participation:
Attendance is a vital component of this course. A great deal of information will be presented
during in class that will show up on the exams, so attendance is extremely important. If you have
an emergency and cannot attend, please alert me via email ahead of time. In addition, late arrival
to, or early departure from, class can be disruptive so please alert me via email ahead of time if
you need to arrive late or depart early. Three instances of unexcused tardiness or early departure
will result in the loss of one point.
Research Paper/Creative Project:
See the “research paper/creative project” folder in Moodle for paper assignment. We will go over
the paper assignment/creative project and expectations in class. The paper/project is due in the
Moodle folder on December 10th by 8pm. NO LATE PAPERS/PROJECTS. A late assignment is
only accepted under emergency situation if I am notified in advance and it will be graded down
10 points for each day it is late.
Discussion Questions:
You are required to write essays where you will be asked to verbalize your thoughts and ideas
about lecture and reading material. There will be 5 discussion questions this semester. Essays are
graded on content, organization, grammar, style, and spelling. Be sure that you answer the
question asked in its entirety and be sure to proofread your answer. One-two pages, typed,
double spaced, 12 pt. font, works cited/bibliography page, using Chicago Style formatting.
Discussion questions are due on Tuesdays by 8pm in Moodle and there are no make-ups.
Essay grades are based on a scale of 0-10 points:
9-10 is the equivalent of an A and represents a polished, well-written, thoughtful, and thorough
response.
8 is the equivalent of a B and represents a good essay that demonstrates strong knowledge of the
subject but has some minor flaws either in content and/or grammar.
7 is the equivalent of a C and represents an essay that displays weakness in several areas or only
partially answers the question.
6 is the equivalent of a D and represents little understanding of the material or the assignment
with major flaws in content and/or grammar.
Quizzes:
There will be 11 quizzes that will test your understanding of class material and your ability to
interpret the material you have studied. The quizzes will consist of 10 multiple choice questions
and you will have 15 minutes to answer them. Quizzes are available on designated weeks
between Monday 6am and Tuesday 8pm. Be sure you can take ALL quizzes otherwise this
course is NOT right for you. Your score will be posted after the quiz availability period has
ended. There are no quiz make-ups or substitutions.
Late Work:
Late work will NOT be graded. A late assignment is only accepted under emergency situations if
I am notified in advance and it will be graded down 10 points for each day it is late.
Written Work:
Your written work should improve throughout the semester and your grades for discussion essays
and the research paper will be based on the following:
- Responsiveness to the assignment, clearly demonstrating that you have read and understood the
material
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- Use of explanation and specific detail to support and clarify your claims
- Standard grammar, punctuation, spelling and English usage
- References cited properly using either MLA or Chicago Style formatting
- Free of plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as taking and using the thoughts and writings of
another person as if they were your own. This includes plagiarizing another student from this or a
previous semester, a website, museum brochure or any other written material. The copying of
more than four or five words in a row without citing the source is considered plagiarism. If I
discover ANY use of plagiarism, even if it is only one sentence, you will receive a zero for that
essay. You will not be able to make up the essay. Further plagiarism will lead to an F for the
course and notification of the University.
English as a Second Language:
All essays must be in good, standard English and free of grammatical issues. If English is not
your first language, I suggest working closely with The Writing Center in SB408 (7-2033) and
finding at least two outside proofreaders (whose command of the English language you admire)
to look over your work before you submit it.
Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability and need accommodations, please register with the Disability Resources
and Educational Services (DRES) office or the National Center on Deafness (NCOD). The DRES
office is located in Bayramian Hall, room 110 and can be reached at (818) 677-2684. NCOD is
located on Bertrand Street in Jeanne Chisholm Hall and can be reached at (818) 677-2611.
Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations should discuss these requests
with the instructor as early as possible.
Student Conduct:
Students are expected to engage in responsible behaviors and to be civil to one another and to
others in the classroom. Recording devices are not allowed. Please refer to the University Student
Conduct Code: http://www.csun.edu/catalog/policies/student-conduct-code/
Academic Integrity:
All students are expected to comply with CSUN’s high standards of Academic Integrity and
avoid instances of dishonesty at all times. Such acts of dishonesty include cheating, plagiarism,
fraud, false citations or data, and the fraudulent use of Internet resources. Students are not to
commit academic fraud. Cases of academic misconduct will be reported and may result in
probation, suspension, or expulsion as outlined in Section 41301, Title 5, of the California Code
of Regulations.
Academic Fraud includes, but is not limited to, the following situations:
*Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas or work without proper or complete
acknowledgement. Plagiarism encompasses many things, and is by far the most common
manifestation of academic fraud. For example, copying a passage straight from a book into a
paper without quoting or explicitly citing the author is plagiarism. In addition, completely
rewording someone else’s work or ideas and using it as one’s own is also plagiarism. It is very
important that students properly acknowledge all ideas, work, and even distinctive wording that
are not their own. Students who are unsure of how or when to properly acknowledge sources are
encouraged to contact me.
*Plagiarism via the Internet is occurring with more and more frequency, and takes a number of
different forms. As should be obvious, purchasing research papers on the Internet and submitting
them as a student’s own work constitutes a gross case of plagiarism. Cutting and pasting from a
website without putting the text being used in quotation marks and/or without properly citing the
source also constitutes plagiarism.
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*Cheating is the copying of any test or quiz or essay or work done in a class that is not the
student’s own work. It also includes giving or receiving unauthorized assistance during an
examination whether it was intentional or not. Obtaining or distributing unauthorized information
about an exam before it is given is also cheating, as is using inappropriate or unallowable sources
of information during an exam. This includes posting images of exams or content from our course
for others to use on the Internet as well.
*Multiple Submission is the use of work previously submitted at this or any other institution to
fulfill academic requirements in another class. For example, using a paper from an English class
for a Sociology class is Academic Fraud. Slightly altered work that has been resubmitted is also
considered to be fraudulent. With prior permission, some professors may allow students to
complete one assignment for two classes. In this case, prior permission from both instructors is
absolutely necessary.
*False Citation is falsely citing a source or attributing work to a source from which the
referenced material was not obtained. A simple example of this would be footnoting a paragraph
and citing a work that was never utilized.
*Intentional Deception is the submission of false documentation (absence excuse, proof of
attendance, volunteer hours, etc.) for falsifying any official college record. A student who
misrepresents facts in order to obtain exemptions from course requirements has committed an act
of intentional deception. It is best for a student to do the work as required in a course or speak to
the instructor about circumstances that may cause problems in completing forms correctly or
honestly.
Course Outline
Week 1 Introduction
Aug 25 (on-line)
- Print out and read this syllabus. This syllabus will be your weekly map for the class so study it
carefully. Look over the assignments dates and times, reading and writing requirements, and
course material. Be sure that this course is right for you and that you will be able to successfully
complete it. Hybrid classes require a great deal of personal motivation, discipline, and time
commitment. Do not allow yourself to fall behind.
Aug 27 (in-class): Course Introduction
- Read Chapter 1: Art and the Artist in the Non-West
Week 2 Africa
Sep 1 (on-line)
-Read Chapter 2: Introduction to the Arts of Africa
Sep 3 (in-class) Introduction to the Arts of Africa
Week 3 Africa
Sep 8 (on-line): Write “Personal Introduction” essay in Moodle (not graded). (Essays are always
due by 8pm on designated Tuesdays in Moodle)
-Read Chapter 3: Art and Social Status, Asante, Ghana
Sep 10 (in-class) The Royal Arts of the Asante
Week 4 Africa
Sep 14-15 (on-line): Asante quiz #1
-Read Chapter 4: Art and Globalization: Ndebele, South Africa
Sep 17 (in-class) Mural Art and Beadwork of the Ndebele
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Week 5 Africa
Sep 21-22 (on-line): Ndebele quiz #2
Sep 22 (on-line): Essay #1 due
-Read Chapter 5: Masquerade and Initiation: The Mende Sande Society, Sierra Leone
Sep 24 (in-class): Masking Amongst the Mende
Week 6 Africa
Sep 28-29 (on-line): Mende quiz #3
-Read Chapter 7: The Art of the Luba, Democratic Republic of Congo
Oct 1 (in-class): Art and Kingship in Luba Culture
Week 7 Oceania
Oct 5-6 (on-line): Luba quiz #4
Oct 6 (on-line): Essay #2 due
-Read Chapters 8 and 9: Introduction to the Arts of Polynesia and Art and the Belief System in
Hawaii
Oct 8 (in-class): Introduction to Polynesian Art: Mana, Tapu, and Art Production
Week 8 Oceania
Oct 12-13 (on-line): Polynesia quiz #5
-Read Chapter 10: Samoan Tatau
Oct 15 (in-class): Tatau in Samoan Art
Week 9 Oceania
Oct 19-20 (on-line): Samoa quiz #6
Oct 20 (on-line): Essay #3 due
-Read Chapter 11: Carving Wood and Skin, Maori, New Zealand
Oct 22 (in-class): The Art of Carving Amongst the Maori
Week 10 Oceania
Oct 26-27 (on-line): Maori quiz #7
-Read Chapter 12: Art and the Environment, Rapanui, Easter Island
Oct 29 (in-class): Art and Environment on Easter Island
Week 11 Native America
Nov 2-3 (on-line): Rapanui quiz #8
Nov 3 (on-line): Essay #4 due
-Read Chapters 13: Introduction to the Indigenous Arts of the Americas and Wade “Straddling
the Cultural Fence”
Nov 5 (in-class): Art and Appropriation: The Pueblo and Navajo of the Southwest
Week 12 Native America
Nov 9-10 (on-line): Southwest quiz #9
-Read Chapter 14: Architecture and the Cosmos, Aztec, present-day Mexico
Nov 12 (in-class): Architecture and the Cosmos: The Art of the Aztecs
Week 13 Native America
Nov 16-17 (on-line): Aztec quiz #10
Nov 17: Essay #5 due
-Read Chapter 15: Art and State Control, Inka, South America
Nov 19 (in-class): Stonework and State Control: The Art of the Inka
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Week 14: Thanksgiving Break: No Class
Week 15 Native America
Nov 30-Dec 1 (on-line): Inka quiz #11
Dec 1: Extra Credit due
-Read Chapter 16: Style, Form, and Meaning in the Northwest Coast, North America
Dec 3 (in-class): The Art of Giving in the Northwest Coast
Week 16 Finals Week
Dec 10: Research Paper or Creative Project due in Moodle folder by 8pm
Syllabus is subject to change